Dugout Discussion

Pogba on the bench as United and Watford name unchanged starting XIs

The first of two Premier League matches to take place on Sunday kicks off at 14:00 GMT, with Manchester United the visitors to Watford.

Both Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Nigel Pearson have named unchanged starting XIs from the sides that lined up in Gameweek 17.

There is a surprise returnee among the substitutes, however, as Paul Pogba (£8.4m) makes the United matchday squad for the first time since the end of September.

Mason Greenwood (£4.3m) is also on the bench for the visitors, as Anthony Martial (£7.7m) once again leads the line in front of an attacking midfield trio of Marcus Rashford (£9.1m), Daniel James (£6.2m) and Jesse Lingard (£6.3m).

Rashford was the most-bought Fantasy Premier League forward of Gameweek 18, with just under 290,000 managers drafting the United striker into their teams.

The England international was also the second-most-popular captaincy option this weekend, having been handed the armband by over 800,000 FPL bosses.

Rashford has only blanked twice since a ‘two-pointer’ in Gameweek 8.

Both he and Martial were on target when these two sides last met in March.

Adam Masina (£4.3m) and Roberto Pereyra (£5.6m) are both fit to return for the Hornets but only make the bench.

Troy Deeney (£6.2m) gets his fourth straight start up front following his recent return from a long-term injury.

Interested is limited in Pearson’s troops from a Fantasy perspective: not one of Watford’s players is owned by more than 2% of FPL bosses.

The Hornets have only scored in one of their last five home fixtures, with that solitary strike coming from the penalty spot against Chelsea.

United are without a clean sheet in 12 Premier League matches, however.

Watford XI: Foster, Mariappa, Kabasele, Cathcart, Femenía, Hughes, Capoue, Sarr, Doucouré, Deulofeu, Deeney.

Manchester United XI: De Gea, Wan-Bissaka, Lindelöf, Maguire, Shaw, Fred, McTominay, James, Lingard, Rashford, Martial.


1,381 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Rainer
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    With Ole at the wheel & United after turning the corner, which 3 of their players are essential for the next few GWs?

    1. FDMS All Starz
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Rooney, Ronaldo, Van Persie

    2. Pras (FPL)
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Phil Jones

  2. TheDragon
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Maguire still a good pick?

    1. It’s gonna Ben Mee
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Marvellous. Get in early

    2. Collie01
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      I considered him this week but went Doherty instead.

      United will keep more CS, reckon they will end with 7ish by end of the season - statistically they are one of the better defensive teams. Maguire has 5-6 attacking returns in each of his previous seasons and he will probably get maybe 2-3 this season from set pieces.

      Basically, think he might be an ok pick at the price.

  3. Mikeharbrw
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Just gonna leave this here....

    https://www.fantasyfootballscout.co.uk/comment/21311489

  4. KOKAK
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    MU should continue losing matches to be demoted next season.

  5. Tcheco
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Pulisic & Rashford to Kane & Cantwell (-4) ?

    1. FC Hakkebøf
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Got the same move in mind.. But not enough FT

    2. DandyDon
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Personally I would stick I mean Lets see Kane play first anyway! Got him captain again this week but still frustrating to own want to transfer him out to add to better balance to my squad. Had to play cantwell and dendonker this week! Luckily got some cantwell points for a change!

  6. Hotdogs for Tea
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    What a trap ... glad I didn’t fall for that one ... again 🙁

    1. Eat my goal!
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Hear hear

    2. Fred54
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      NEW next. 🙁

      1. Pras (FPL)
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        Should be dark red on fixture ticker

  7. Aftermath
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Me : 12 pts + Aurier
    Cup opponent: son + Tammy

    Who wins?

    1. THFC4LIFE
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      You

    2. Arse Craic
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Watch the game and find out

    3. NotsoSpursy
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      1 point from Pulisic coming up

    4. Revival
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      you, 12 points is a massive head start

  8. DMP
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Lolskaer.

    Martial+Rashford out for anyone.

    1. It’s gonna Ben Mee
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Nah, Rashford has served be well these past 10 GWs. Deserves another chance vs NEW.

      1. DMP
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        If i show the door to Martial, and keep Rashford, he Will Blank, and Martial hauls.

  9. Tshelby
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    This Gameweek is a gift that keeps on giving! CS for Kiko now on 66 points with Alli and Son to go!

  10. Fudgy
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Pearson to do another great escape

  11. Brosstan
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    No sympathy for Rashford buyers. Youve been warned about United's troubles against organized defense. If you dont let them counter attack United are relegation candidates.

    1. Hy liverpool
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      You are annoying as hell.

      1. DMP
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        Yes.

      2. Qaiss
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        Aren't you happy United lost?

        1. Hy liverpool
          • 10 Years
          4 years, 4 months ago

          Why i would be happy when a mid table team lose?

      3. Qaiss
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        but yeah he is I agree. Big know it all.

      4. Brosstan
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        People have been saying it for weeks, its not hindsight.

        1. Tcheco
          • 6 Years
          4 years, 4 months ago

          He's the 4th highest scoring player in FPL this season. You don't know what you're talking about

          1. Brosstan
            • 9 Years
            4 years, 4 months ago

            Teams are starting to realize that United are a one trick pony team now. Less space on the counter for Rashford.

    2. Fred54
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Decent returns prior to buying, I brought him early against Citeh and got an unexpected 9 points.

      Plum fixtures against EVE, wat and NEW. What could possibly go wrong...

      1. Brosstan
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        Buying for City was a good decision. Not so much for the "easy" games. United are a topsy turvy team

    3. Bushwhacker
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      I said this constantly ; even reminded people yesterday. Especially as I’d captained him it was bound to end this way!

  12. have you seen cyan
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    great result for Watford, Man U schooled by a little team again. One trick pony ole

    1. Rainer
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      So harsh on ponies.

      1. have you seen cyan
        • 4 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        Newcastle will screw them over as well, Man u will be lucky to get a point. These fixs bad for Ole

  13. Rainer
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Although it was so predictable & fully expected, that Rashford blank is lovely!

    1. DandyDon
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Hoped it would turn out that way and very enjoyable Utd blank!

  14. Woy_is_back
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Rash blanks, not surprised

    1. internal error
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Nate Diaz ain't surprised either

  15. KINGS
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Still having faith in Rashford?

    1. Rainer
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Green fixture up next, surely can’t sell!

      1. Salah’s Sonnet
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        We’ll still struggle, Rashford defo out for me

      2. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
        • 13 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        United are terrible against teams who sit back

      3. _Ninja_
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        😀

  16. sminkypinky
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Aaand here comes the red arrow...

  17. The Ejiptian King
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    I don't wanna say I told you so, still only taken 8 points all season against bottom half of the table sides.

    1. Rainer
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Can’t believe you were laughed at for them comments.

      Hope you own non of them, I’m sure supporting is bad enough 😉

      1. The Ejiptian King
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        I know man, none atm although I've owned Martial twice this season, lol.

    2. Revival
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Their struggles against lesser sides is a blessing for Arsenal when they meet in GW21

    3. have you seen cyan
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      I was in agreement with you, saying these fixtures bad for Rash. My only mistake, giving him this week

    4. TheDragon
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      V good advice -
      One of the reasons I avoided Rashford

      1. The Ejiptian King
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        Thanks mate, I know it wasn't what people wanted to hear. Could change now with Pogba back of course but that will heavily depend on how interested he is which seems to change like the wind.

  18. Top Lad Dakes.
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Rashford captain over Vardy costing me big time ffs

    1. Qaiss
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      should of gone with your gut instead of going with the herd

      1. Top Lad Dakes.
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        Defo

    2. svasei - Up (?) the Rovers
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      But come on... Why don't we just leave the armband on Vardy?

  19. Piggs Boson
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Lots of pace, little ability.

    1. Syd.
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Traoré?

      1. Piggs Boson
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        Traore sums up United quite well actually 😆

        If Lampard doesn't want to play Jorginho I'd take him at United.

    2. Digital-Real
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Trashford, James, Martial, Wan Bissaka, Lingard

    3. Rainer
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Wasn’t Rashford basically Ronaldo a few weeks ago?

      1. DMP
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        lool

  20. Sid1891
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Ok then
    Son Aurier Ali Tammy gagging for returns

    Goal fest please

    1. Hotdogs for Tea
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      same here

    2. Pukki Blinders
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Chelsea 5 at the back, won't happen

  21. FFSbet.com
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Dead team in cup destroying me with Fabinho,Guendouzi,Kun,Salah,Robertson in team 🙂

  22. FDMS All Starz
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Man Utd assets vs Newcastle? Expecting a 0-0

    1. Syd.
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      You could be right

  23. sunzip14
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Should I stay awake to watch my Spurs double defense and Alli CS get wiped out or is it worth waking up until 3:30 am. Please advise.

    1. Sid1891
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Stay on

  24. Ginkapo FPL
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Troy Deeney is a legend

  25. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Pulisic will come on?

    1. Syd.
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      A lot will depend on the score

    2. Rainer
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Barring enforced injuries for subs, I’d say it’s guaranteed.

      Fresh legs for Mount.

    3. NotsoSpursy
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      95% yes

  26. KOKAK
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Wasted precious time...

  27. Boomerang V
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Rashford (c) failed 🙁

    What a disappointment

    1. svasei - Up (?) the Rovers
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Same here. Would have done it over again.

  28. It’s gonna Ben Mee
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    3 blanks in his last 10 = “Trashford”

    Tough crowd 😆

  29. The Head-Ake
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Lmao, I thought Lindelof would get me a CS this week.

  30. internal error
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    What are Rashford owners doing? Is Newcastle going to be more of the same?

    1. Gobigorgohome
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      expect more of the same

    2. FDMS All Starz
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      With Pogba back I expect them to score not sure which Utd will turn up

    3. svasei - Up (?) the Rovers
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Keeping at the moment.